60

FLASHBACK

The man had fallen from one of the windows high above them, no doubt tumbling through the air in a cruel twist of fate before landing on the cobblestones below with a sickening thud. His limbs were twisted at odd angles; his neck bent unnaturally to one side; his face frozen in an expression of shock and pain—all evidence that he had not gone quietly into death’s embrace.

Aurora felt tears sting her eyes as she looked upon him.

The royal maids and guards around them were similarly stricken, some of them openly weeping as they looked upon the body with a mixture of grief and surprise.

One by one, the servants began to fall silent until only a few whispers echoed through the courtyard.

Soom, the show ended with the man's body being carried away and others dispersing.

Aurora similarly made her way through the Royal Arena, back to her chambers, when suddenly she felt a jolt as someone bumped into her.

She was caught off guard and stumbled a bit before catching her balance.